20 Weeks, 20 Lessons & The MT Sobek Story | Part 2 – Lisa’s TMB Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 24
In Part 2 of this conversation, Marcus and Lisa pick up where they left off—digging into the peak phase of her 20-week training plan leading up to the Tour du Mont Blanc. They talk about how Lisa managed higher mileage and tougher elevation goals, how she kept her body feeling good and avoided overtraining as the workouts got tougher, and the mindset that carried her through the final stretch of preparation.Later in the episode, Marcus brings in Travis Wardell, Program Director for Europe at Mountain Travel Sobek—one of, if not the, world’s oldest adventure travel company. It’s Travis’s first time meeting Lisa, and he shares insights on what makes MT Sobek’s version of the TMB different from the classic route, how the company designs and curates world-class trekking experiences, and the activity level system they use to help travelers choose the right adventure for their goals and abilities.The episode wraps with a relaxed, behind-the-scenes exchange after the formal interview—a fun, unscripted glimpse of the conversation once the mics were supposed to be off.Mountain Travel Sobek - The Adventure Company | Est. 1969Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
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20 Weeks, 20 Lessons to Stay Trail Fit | Part 1 – Lisa’s TMB Journey | HikeStrong | Ep. 23
I had a pretty ambitious goal going into this conversation with my client, Lisa. The idea was to cover all 20 weeks of her Tour du Mont Blanc training plan, and my hope was that each week you’d learn something you could apply to your training — or at least walk away with a little inspiration.And the good news is — it turned out great. I’d never done this format before, and it ended up becoming a two-part series. Part 1 focuses on Lisa’s base training phase — the foundation that built her strength, balance, and confidence for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Part 2 dives into her peak phase and includes a special guest from Mountain Travel Sobek, the company she traveled with.In this episode, Lisa shares lessons from the early weeks of her program — from mastering lunges and stair work to staying consistent while juggling family life and flat Michigan terrain. Whether you’re training for your first big hike or just need a dose of motivation, you’ll come away with practical tips, insights, and a few laughs from Lisa’s journey.Mountain Travel Sobek - The Adventure Company | Est. 1969Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
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23 Stairs, a Treadmill & 61,350 Feet: Alicia’s Journey to Kilimanjaro | HikeStrong Podcast Ep. 22
What does it take to climb Kilimanjaro when you don’t live near mountains? And what happens when you decide to do it all over again for the Inca Trail?In this episode, I sit down with Alicia—a self-described “non-athlete” who trained on 23 stairs behind a building and a treadmill with a pack on her back to summit Kilimanjaro. She’s funny, self-deprecating, and brutally honest about what it really feels like to take on a trek of this size. Expect a few laugh-out-loud moments mixed with some hard-earned wisdom.Now she’s training with me again, this time for the Inca Trail. By Week 5 she’s already logged 67 miles and 25,623 feet of elevation gain—compared to 62 miles and 17,749 feet at the same point in her Kilimanjaro plan. Why the difference? This time, the training is packed into 8 weeks instead of 12, and with experience comes a new awareness of how to push and how to know your limits.Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
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What Every Traveler Should Know About Guides | Chris Anderson (Part 2) | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 21
Most travelers walk away from a guided trip thinking, “That was amazing”—but they have no idea what it actually took to make it feel that way.In Part 2 of my conversation with former REI Guide of the Year Chris Anderson, we go behind the curtain to uncover what guides really do:How REI tried to flip the script and treat guiding as a real career—and why that model didn’t surviveThe long hours, behind-the-scenes prep, and emotional labor that guests never seeThe broken tipping culture—and why it puts guides in a tough, awkward positionWhat it really means to serve 10+ guests for 14+ hours a day with zero margin for errorHow underprepared guests affect group dynamics, safety, and moraleThe impossible math behind seasonal contracts, no PTO, and $100 day ratesWhy the best guides make you feel like the trip ran itself—and how much effort that actually takesIf you’ve ever been on a guided trip—or plan to—this episode will change how you see your guide forever.🎧 Start listening now—and maybe rethink that tip envelope.Check out the LinkedIn post from Chris that sparked this two-part series…Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
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Rise and Fall of REI Experiences | Conversation with Chris Anderson (Part 1) | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 20
When REI announced it was shutting down its Experiences Division, the internet exploded with outrage. For many, it felt like the company was abandoning one of the most meaningful things it offered - a way to actually get people outside, not just sell them the gear.In this episode, I sit down with Chris Anderson, Former director of Risk Management & Guide Training at REI - a key leader behind the Experiences Division - to unpack what really happened behind the scenes.We cover:Why REI acquired Arizona Outback Adventures (AOA) in 2019The original vision for Experiences and how it aligned with REI’s missionInternal data that showed Experiences boosted member spending and loyaltyWhat changed after the pandemic—and why even a successful program can get cutWhy REI’s commitment to paying guides fairly may have made long-term profitability an uphill battleChris brings a rare perspective—both operational and deeply personal—to a story that’s about much more than one company. It’s about the gap between mission and margin in the outdoor industry.🎧 If you’ve ever taken a guided trip and had no idea what went on behind the scenes - Part 2 will change the way you see the entire experience. That’s where we go behind the curtain: exploring the emotional labor of guides, the broken tipping culture, and what needs to change to make this industry sustainable - forCheck out the LinkedIn post from Chris that sparked this two-part series…Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
Confidence-building content for Hikers, Trekkers, Backpackers, and Mountaineers. The Hike Strong Podcast is where the fusion of fitness and hiking discussions will awaken the brain to unlock your true trail-crushing potential. Marcus and his guests frequently talk about iconic hiking destinations and how to get in shape for them. Look out for training and exercise-only episodes as well. Listen often for destination-specific episodes to build your bucket list of iconic trail adventures. Invite your friends to listen. And then make plans to crush an iconic hike at least one time per year – with friends! Train | Hike | RepeatMarcus Shapiro is a hiking strength and conditioning coach and the founder of Fit For Trips. He is a pioneer in the online hiking training industry and coaches adventurers every day, helping them to get physically prepared for their dream hiking, trekking, and backpacking trips.
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